Inclusion
Did you know that improved diversity in the workplace is linked to superior performance and productivity?
So many organizations fail to recognize that fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion is conducive to higher job satisfaction among staff. This can directly impact the overall success of a company.
Sadly, toxic work environments are only too common. Bullying culture results in higher rates of sickness and lower productivity, both potentially eating into a company’s profits.
Research company McKinsey and Company found that diversity in the workplace is intrinsically linked to better financial performance. The study followed 1000 companies across 12 countries and took a snapshot of the data in 2014 and 2017.
The results show that companies that hire a greater proportion of women and people from multicultural backgrounds are statistically more likely to outperform those that don’t.
So it makes financial sense to nurture a company culture that celebrates equality between genders and celebrates multicultural values.
What Is Diversity and Inclusion?
Let’s double down on diversity and inclusion…
Diversity
Diversity refers to the differences between people in terms of age, ethnicity, race, and sexual orientation. Diversity in the workplace encourages people to be open and honest as long asthe culture is inclusive.
Inclusion
Inclusion refers to the environment that makes people from diverse backgrounds feel welcome and included.
When someone is made to feel comfortable and emotionally safe, this has a positive general impact. Lines of communication open up and a culture of mutual trust enables people to relax and work towards a common goal.
Why Is Diversity and Inclusion Important in the Workplace?
Research shows that diversity in the workplace improves decision making. When people are able to express their cultural heritage in the workplace, this increases their job satisfaction. And, when people are happy in their workplace, productivity improves and profits rise.
A team that is comprised of team players with a common goal makes decisions quickly and easily.
Trust
If employees and team members are not afraid to be honest and open, and colleagues and managers offer support and encouragement, it stops the development of toxic behaviors like information- hoarding.
Openness
When there is mutual trust in the workplace, decisions are more effective and are made quicker. Healthy patterns of communication are vital to a thriving work culture.
How Do You Demonstrate Diversity and Inclusion?
A diversity and inclusion strategy has to be implemented from the top down. It’s vital that senior management are onboard for this to be filtered properly through the company.
Management is the key to successful propagation of diversity and inclusion into corporate culture. The human resources department needs to recruit from diverse backgrounds whilethe human resources department needs to be singing from thissame hymn sheet.
You don’t have to be a manager to encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
As an employee or individual contributor, you can help to promote diversity and inclusion by persuading and convincing colleagues and senior management of the benefits of hiring a more diverse workforce.
Do your research and develop a strategy to champion the cause in a way that will make senior managers sit up and notice. Learn to use your voice, stand up and be counted. Use your personal influence to take the organization forward in a positive and innovative way.
